Learn to analyze and improve business processes in services or in manufacturing by learning how to increase productivity and deliver higher quality standards. Key concepts include process analysis, bottlenecks, flows rates, and inventory levels, and more. After successfully completing this course, you can apply these skills to a real-world business challenge as part of the Wharton Business Foundations Specialization.
This course is part of the Business Foundations Specialization
Introduction to Operations Management
Offered By
About this Course
4.5
1,483 ratings
Skills you will gain
Process ManagementOperations ManagementSix SigmaInventory
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
127 minutes to complete
Introduction
This short module was designed to introduce you to the course, and to give you an overview of what you can expect from the course and the instructor!
3 videos (Total 17 min), 1 reading
3 videos
Four Dimensions of Operational Performance7m
Trade-offs and the Efficient Frontier7m
1 reading
Module 1 - Introduction: Lecture Slides (PDF)10m
Week
23 hours to complete
Process Analysis
In this module, you'll learn how to identify key elements of process analysis: flow rates, and flow times, how to uncover bottlenecks, how to optimize labor and inventory, and how to handle the complexities of multiple flow units. At the end of this module, you'll be able to break down operations into processes which can then be improved to maximize profits and efficiency.
10 videos (Total 115 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
10 videos
Finding the Bottleneck11m
Labor Cost and Labor Utilization15m
Little’s Law6m
Inventory Turns7m
Make to Stock vs Make to Order / Reasons for Inventory10m
Dealing with Multiple Flow Units14m
Review of Process Analysis26m
Module 2 Practice Problem: Atlas Inc (video)8m
Module 2 Practice Problem: Multiple Flow Units (video)4m
2 readings
Module 2 - Process Analysis: Lecture Slides (PDF) and Excel Template10m
Module 2 Practice Problems (PDF) and Solutions10m
2 practice exercises
Homework Assignment: Module 2 - Process Analysis20m
Final Exam - Module 222m
Week
33 hours to complete
Productivity
You'll learn the key components of productivity in this module. Beginning with the academic definitions of productivity, you'll move on to the common blockers, measurements, indicators of effectiveness, improvement techniques and financial values. By the end of this module, you'll be able to identify, describe and measure the relationship between inputs and outputs and also be able to develop strategies for decreasing inputs while increasing outputs, thereby boosting productivity wherever you see the need to.
11 videos (Total 102 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
11 videos
The Seven Sources of Waste9m
Financial Value of Productivity6m
Key Performance Indicators and KPI Trees 6m
Overall Equipment Effectiveness12m
Takt Time8m
Quartile Analysis9m
Productivity Ratios9m
Review of Productivity19m
Module 3 Practice Problem: Dr. Peters (video)5m
Module 3 Practice Problem: Assign Tasks to Workers (video)5m
2 readings
Module 3 - Productivity: Lecture Slides (PDF) and Excel Files10m
Module 3 Practice Problems (PDF) and Solutions10m
2 practice exercises
Homework Assignment: Module 3 - Productivity16m
Final Exam - Module 318m
Week
43 hours to complete
Quality
Quality is not only a cornerstone of operations management, but also a critical component of an organization's long-term viability and success. This module covers all the major aspects of quality in operations, from examining the common reasons for defects to the most widely used implementation techniques for addressing problems of quality and ensuring reliability and standards. At the end of this module, you'll be able to anticipate where defects may occur and recommend a sound strategy for maintaining quality and stability.
10 videos (Total 98 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
10 videos
Quality and Flow17m
Six Sigma12m
Control Charts9m
Jidoka8m
Problem Solving6m
Toyota Production System9m
Module 4 Review19m
Module 4 Practice Problem: Assembly Tolerances (video)3m
Module 4 Practice Problem: Security Check (video)2m
2 readings
Module 4 - Quality: Lecture Slides (PDF) and Excel Files10m
Module 4 Practice Problems (PDF) and Solutions10m
2 practice exercises
Homework Assignment: Module 4 - Quality16m
Final Exam - Module 416m
4.5
317 Reviews44%
started a new career after completing these courses
38%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top Reviews
This is an awesome comprehensive operations management course. Although, the course in an introductory course, it covers pretty much everything you need to know about operations management.
I am an operation person, but still found that this course had something new to teach. The professor was very clear about the concepts, and the structure of the course was well designed.
Instructor
Christian Terwiesch
Andrew M. Heller Professor at the Wharton School, Senior Fellow Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics Co-Director, Mack Institute of Innovation ManagementThe Wharton School
About University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
About the Business Foundations Specialization
In this Specialization, you’ll develop basic literacy in the language of business, which you can use to transition to a new career, start or improve your own small business, or apply to business school to continue your education. In five courses, you’ll learn the fundamentals of marketing, accounting, operations, and finance. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills learned by developing a go-to-market strategy to address a real business challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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